20 April 2010

Monday in Montecito

I must admitit is a real joyto be the client for a change! I am looking for a site for a very special family event..and yesterday, in the hands of my good friend, freelance event planner Dani Farler, I saw what is quite possibly the perfect spot for our celebration in Montecito, near Santa Barbara, California.

Come along on our perfect Monday morning quest and see for yourself!

First stop, San Ysidro Ranch, an incomparably gorgeous place on this planet. Dani knows how much I adore the south of France, and she said this place reminds her of our last trip there together. She thought I would love it. She was right!

could anything be more charming than this little

bench in its Provencal setting?

one of the several restaurants we viewed for

a sit down dinner

the wedding meadow, with rose-covered arches

at each end and a view up the mountains

another utterly charming bench in the garden

one of the living passageways found on the

500 acre resort

with Japanese Magnolia trees blooming

and heaters, we are ready for cool

spring evenings

a view down onto the restaurant I loved the most

all images above taken by me

at San Ysidro Ranch, Montecito, California

"heaven on earth"

If you think that this is a breathtakingly beautiful spot to have the family gather for a celebration, you are in very good company. Vivien Leigh and Sir Laurence Olivier exchanged vows here, and John and Jacqueline Kennedy honeymooned here. I am quite certain lots more of the rich and famous find their way here, named America's Best Hotel by Forbes Traveler in 2009.

If you think that I can afford to have the whole gang come and stay here, and party for a couple of days, you would be quite incorrect! :) I might have a small dinner for ten in the Old Adobe 1825, but the rest of our partying will probably be down at the local crab shack!

***

Next, leaving the Ranch, we headed down to the flower shop Dani likes: SR Hogue & Co. We were hoping preparations might be underway there for a glamorous local event (dinner party at Oprah's, just up the hill?) but found things a little lovely and quiet.

a very lucky Buddha enjoying the garden's bounty

beautiful green pot that Dani loved

flower girls Hogue designed..from their website

stunning lilies

***

Finally, the perfect place to wind up the morning: Jeannine's in "downtown" Montecito. There you can have cafes au lait so big you could take a bath in the bowl! and brunch is anything you can dream of: french toast, steel cut oatmeal, eggs crab benedict, brioche, croissants, tropical fruits. Do you get the picture? Get to Jeannine's, quickly!

HI Mary Ann, I must confess the clothes are to be found at Wendy Foster lest you think I really wore that adorable outfit (wish I had it!)..thanks for visiting, I'll hop over to Verbena Cottage right away1

I was in a wedding in this same area, several years ago. The Bride was able to save a ton of money as she did not have to order flowers - the natural landscape provided us with a floral mosaic for free!

Beautiful place(s); makes you want to go right away and spend a week or two! But it's as far away for me than Provence so maybe the real destination would win( if I had te time to go to either...) GREAT post; you make us dream a little.Merci chere ami.

Bonjour Jeanne-Aelia! OK, yes, you are right..I will meet you in Provence, then we can do a little research to see if this place has truly matched up! (actually the room interiors are not French at all but a glamorous, luxe western feel, stones, plaids, fireplaces, exposed beams..but gorgeous in their way)

Hi Dana & Daisy..the vine is bougainvillea, and the trees with the orangish fruit/flowers are Japanese magnolia trees...the bench is adorable with this chic little mix of patterns..cool idea for a little spot.

.... Since I desire it .... a few vacations in California ..... taking these so comfortable clothes .. and with so much style that your you show us ..... a shame is that ' Montecito .. be so far away of Madrid ... my city ..... beautiful post An embrace Berta

Wow! I have to admit, whenever I click over to a California blog..its hard for me not become bitter with jealousy! Today was one of those moments...I love NY, and all...but that place is just amazing. And...then you go and throw those adorable outfits up there too! Like I said, WOW!

O Zhush thank you so much for visiting! No, where you live is so wonderful, you have all of New England, the seasons, you have Vermont (I LOVE Vermont, my daughter was born there!!), and of course, tres chic NYC a hop/skip/jump away..and, you are just a few short hours from Paris! I often miss back east for those reasons!

What a delight to see San Ysidro Ranch. I've heard so much about it but have never seen photos. What a tremendous day to scout, shop and take in a lovely lunch. You ladies would of been looking quite smashing in those outfits.

Sounds like your family has an exciting event coming up!! Hope your weekend is a fun one Kit. xx

Hi Kit!Lucky you going to Montecito! I love that place! The ranch is gorgeous this time of year, and yes having a latte in the village and people watching there, too much fun! Have a great weekend! Maryanne xo

My goodness, Kit. You have scoped out some truly amazing treasures! You have a wonderful eye for the delicious and a nice flair for writing that I suspect could make even the most mundane spot sound special. This is a gift, girlfriend. Thank you for sharing!

P.S. If I ever win the lottery, I'm going to rent that floating hotel room and cruise down the Nile! Wow!!!

I just found your blog and I am DYING right now I love it so much and everything is so BEAUTIFUL! My husband and I are planning to buy a house in Provence sometime in the next ten years and we are always dreaming.... I can't wait to read more!

Rebekka dear, thanks for stopping and for your very sweet comments...I visited your blog Dear Friend Standing in Sunshine, it's delightful! good luck with your gorgeous apron project; as soon as you get the adult sizes, I am buying one..

What a gorgeous spot for a celebration...I'm sure it will be a wonderful event for you all! Those lovely pictures are such a nice visual vacation for me...we are still getting sporadic bursts of snow where I live!

Hi,I stopped by because we have followed each other by way of my blog The Greentiques Solution. I would like now to personally invite you to join me at my new blog called Tools Are For Women Too! http://toolsareforwomentoo.blogspot.com/ Right now I have a giveaway going on, a link party planned for Monday, a Link Party Directory where bloggers can list their parties, and just a lot of great stuff. Please stop by if you can. Rory